Expert: Alan Zaks

HTC just launched a new Windows Mobile Professional
(nope, I refuse to remind you guys again that Pro is the new WM 5.0 Pocket PC Phone Edition which is the new Windows Mobile 2003SE which is the Pocket PC 2002 which is the...no...not funny?)
which set the industry on it's ear.

Well, not exactly.
That would be the i-that-must-not-be-named-phone. (Was that funny?)

But anyway, the Touch, (for that is its name)-gotta give HTC marketing a nod here, definitely beats out TyTN or MTeoR in terms of catchiness- looks good, and has garnered a fair amount of media coverage recently. The big thing, aside form its obvious cosmetic appeal, is the all new "TouchFLO" interface, which certainly does bring a long overdue measure of beauty and ease of use to a generally unimpressive OS (cosmetic-wise). Aside from it's obvious "compact and beautiful minimalist design" the Touch has a much touted new user interface (UI). And although it doesn't cover over the entire WM OS, it does do a decent job of not letting the Windows Mobile interface rear it's ugly head; so long as you stick to basic media/phone functions.

HTC sent one our way, and we hope to have a Mini-Review up for you soon. Until then, I won't comment on it's perceived competitor (iPhone), and/or if it lives up to expectations. I will, however, quote Avi Greengart, Principal Analyst, Wireless Devices at Current Analysis, who said that

"TouchFLO is not as responsive as the user interface on the pre-production iPhone tested back in January. Scrolling accurately through lists was not as effortless as on the iPhone as well. Similar to most other touchscreen devices, there are also no haptics (force feedback) to let you know you have pressed a “button.”

Meanwhile, you can check out the interface at the site set up specifically for the purpose by HTC here, or check out the HTC marketing video here (Flash required- sorry, iPhone users; looks like Apple doesn't want you checking out the competition).

Additionally, if you simply can't wait for the PPC Mag review, take a gander at what these folk had to say, some of who liked the Touch and some of who didn't:

PC Magazine's S. Segan (he didn't).

Laptop Magazines J. Wilson (he did).

Gizmodo's Jason Chen (he didn't really say).

Arne at the::unwired (still trying to figure out that site name) has some videos of the UI as well here.

Available now in EMEA markets, you can also get it online in the US from various online retailers. Recent reports indicate that it should be making it to the US in an official version sometime in Q3/4.

Disclaimer: Many of the units/applications I review are sent to me at no charge. Sometimes I keep these, and sometimes they are loaner unit/trial applications. Whatever the case, I do my level best to remain impartial- however, we are all only human- me included.

Well, you lucky ducks, Hal just gave me permission to post a my review of the Wing that will appear in the next issue of the magazine. So, below you'll find a slightly edited copy...As always, your feedback is welcome. Enjoy!

T-Mobile is on a roll, recently announcing a Windows Mobile 6 Standard upgrade program for its Dash Smartphone users and then North America’s first ever WM6 Professional device—The T-Mobile Wing. T-Mobile’s focus on style is evident in the devices it sells, and the Wing fits in with the Nokia 8801, Blackberry Pearl, and other smartphones it offers.

Read more!

I hate traffic. So do you (I think).

Unfortunately, there is very little we can actually do about it; the only effective action we can take against traffic doesn't really stop it- we can avoid it. The problem is how do we know when and where it will take place? You can, of course, use applications like INRIX traffic, or Google Maps and Windows Live Search to display visual indication of estimated traffic lockups or real-time accidents. The issue with these services is that inevitably, they are going to be a little behind; or if not, they can often be completely off the mark. 3rd Dimension's new service, initially rolled out under the WCBS Video Cellmate name, aims to redefine the way we look at traffic- literally. Previously available only to users of J2ME, PalmOS and Blackberry compatible phones, at CTIA, 3rd Dimension announced the release of the application for Windows Mobile handsets (both Smartphone and PPC).

By tapping into the Department of Transportation and other camera networks, they have put together a network of real-time, video capable cameras aimed at various roadways. We tested the application on Brooklyn and Manhattan streets, and it performs surprisingly well. Although it isn't all that fast to load, and there is a slightly annoying ad that pops up before you can view any feed, the WCBS Video Cellmate is pretty decent, especially for a free service. Video quality isn't all that great, but then again, it isn't like you need such great resolution to watch traffic. It loops the feed every few seconds, and a few cameras are only still image capable, but on the whole we were okay with the imagery.

While we question the need for streaming video of traffic, it certainly is a great "cool factor" and way to show off your phone- and we've even heard reports of odd uses for it, like people using it to watch the Macy's day parade!

As of now, the service is available for the New York Tri-State area, and you can get in a number of ways.
Either go to the site here and punch in your number for a text message with a link to d/l straight to your handset, or call (877) 880-7623 for the same text message. 3rd Dimension recommends an unlimited data plan for the service.

Disclaimer: Many of the units/applications I review are sent to me at no charge. Sometimes I keep these, and sometimes they are loaner unit/trial applications. Whatever the case, I do my level best to remain impartial- however, we are all only human- me included.

Like Parrot, Scosche Industries hopes to take over your life with their Bluetooth products. Selling Bluetooth accessories, their line is not as expensive as Parrot’s or other high end manufacturers, but is positioned just above ANYCOM’s line.

At CTIA, we stopped by the Scosche booth for a bit, and looked at their Bluetooth product line, which encompasses car kits, home stereo adapters, and headphones. Scosche says that their “Bluelife product line is the first complete line of products to incorporate home, car and sport applications in one fully compatible system”.

The Scosche Bluetooth IBHPK (iPod Bluetooth Headphone Kit) is an incredibly versatile unit that does more than any other BT set of stereo headphones that we looked at. Obviously, it is a stereo Bluetooth headset, playing music from any A2DP source. It is a headset as well, and should be compatible with any handset that supports the HFP (Hands-Free Profile). Unfortunately, in our tests, it did not pair with a Nokia N75 (which is HFP only- not A2DP), which we found odd. All other units we paired worked fine, and the AVRCP (Audio Video Remote Control Profile) worked as well, allowing basic remote control functionality (Play/Pause, Next Track, Previous Track).
Other useful features include a 2.5mm input for using a wired headset, and a 3.5mm converter to use standard MP3 players (the 3.5 input is designed to allow you to plug the headphones in and listen while wired in case they run out of battery). Another unique feature is the ability to use the set as a Bluetooth output- that is, you can use the audio jack as a line out (with an included cable) to stereos or speakers, thus making it a cute way of directing your Bluetooth phone or MP3 player’s sound to an external speaker system.

The package also included a Bluetooth iPod adapter, which allows the seamless pairing of the headphones with the iPod to enable wireless music streaming. The adapter unit is thoughtfully fitted with a charging port- so you can charge the iPod while playing- most other adapters don’t have this feature. Unfortunately, the charging jack isn’t miniUSB or the iPod jack, so you’ll have to schlep around the Scosche charger.

Sound quality was good, although not excellent, and a very faint hissing sound was noticed when music wasn’t playing or when at a low volume (this problem is common to many BT headphones).

An interesting point about the IBHPK; it was very comfortable due to its rubber flaps, and I was able to use the set for quite a while without noticing any uncomfortable feeling, something that happens on most BT headphones.

Scosche also seems to have a competing model on their site, which is the UBHPK (Universal Bluetooth Headphone Kit). This headphone kit comes with a universal Bluetooth transmitter that plugs into the 3.5mm headphone jack of any audio device allowing you to wirelessly stream your music to the headphones.

Pricing is $199.95 (a little on the steep side) and the IBHPK is available at www.scosche.com now. Third party online sites seem to be selling it for a little cheaper as well.

No Bottom Line Score is being given at the moment- look for a Bluetooth headphones round-up of a number of units in the coming weeks on this blog that will feature final notes and scores…

Disclaimer: Many of the units/applications I review are sent to me at no charge. Sometimes I keep these, and sometimes they are loaner unit/trial applications. Whatever the case, I do my level best to remain impartial- however, we are all only human- me included.

ANYCOM (yet another Bluetooth oriented company) introduced the FIPO at CTIA. Basically, it’s a little gizmo that you can place into an iPod socket for Bluetooth stereo streaming. It took me a few seconds to grasp the concept here as well- in other words, you put the FIPO (which has an iPod jack) onto a device (like an iPod cradle or car transmitter), and then pair it with a Bluetooth streaming source-an iPod with a Bluetooth adapter, your A2DP compatible cellphone, or any A2DP source. Unfortunately, the FIPO wasn’t yet available for me to take a look at.
Pictured below is the FIPO on a BOSE iPod sound system.

ANYCOM did, however, send me an iPod Bluetooth package. Similar to the Scoshce IBHPK (but with a slightly better name), ANYCOM’s BluNa + BSH-100 package comes with a stereo set of Bluetooth headphones (the BSH-100) and a Bluetooth adapter (the BluNa) that you connect to the bottom of your iPod. Pair the two, and voila- wireless stereo music.

The ANYCOM bundle, which retails for about $230 (but sells for considerably less online), is street priced slightly cheaper than the Scosche unit. It is also, IMO, a cheaper quality unit, although it does have several unique features, not least among them its capability to switch the way it settles on your ears- it’s a bit difficult to explain in words, but basically it changes from a hard behind the ears band to two clip-on type ear units. Also, it has a detachable boom microphone- which is good and bad. The pro is better sound, since the mic is closer to your mouth. The con is that should you detach it, you won’t be able to talk. Lastly, we found that the BluNa paired more easily with other Bluetooth receiving units (like the Parrot Boombox, for example), where the Scosche did not.

We hope to have a more comprehensive overview of these and many more A2DP headphones over the coming weeks.

Disclaimer: Many of the units/applications I review are sent to me at no charge. Sometimes I keep these, and sometimes they are loaner unit/trial applications. Whatever the case, I do my level best to remain impartial- however, we are all only human- me included.